THE OPERATIONS DIVISION OVERSEES fire suppression, emergency medical services and technical rescue response for the communities served by East Pierce Fire and Rescue. This Division is split into three shifts, each headed by a Battalion Chief who works at the headquarters station.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue is a combination department utilizing both career and volunteer firefighters to handle a wide variety of emergencies. Career firefighters and paramedics are automatically dispatched to calls throughout the 142 square miles that is protected by the district. If unstaffed volunteer stations are located closer to an incident, they will also be dispatched to the scene.

While on duty, the firefighters participate in training, public education events, vehicle and equipment maintenance and other routine activities.

District fire stations are strategically located throughout the jurisdiction for quick response. Of the five volunteer stations, one is home to resident firefighters. Resident firefighters work or attend school in the community, but live in the fire station, responding to calls and maintaining the facility and equipment.

A regional 9-1-1 center, called Fire-Comm, dispatches the appropriate fire and EMS units from the fire stations closest to the emergency call. More than a dozen fire districts including East Pierce Fire and Rescue financially support Fire-Comm through an inter-local agreement.

The Fire District’s headquarters fire station, Station 11, is located in Bonney Lake at 18421 Old Buckley Highway and houses emergency response personnel in addition to the administrative offices for the District. The Deputy Chief oversees the Operations Division. This Division is split into three shifts, each headed by a Battalion Chief, who works at the headquarters station.

In 2008, the 68 career and 45 volunteer firefighters-EMTs and paramedics assigned to the Operations Division responded to 6,690 calls for emergency services, a 2 percent increase over the previous year.

For more statistics, go to the Fact Sheet.